Roy Ayers: “Vittroni’s Theme – King Is Dead”
From the soundtrack to the movie Coffey (1973)
Nas: “Life Is What You Make It”
From the album I Am (1999)
Produced by L.E.S.
Prodigy: “What U Rep” (feat N.O.R.E.)
From the album H.N.I.C. (2000)
Produced by Hangmen3
As we finish up “Nas week”, here’s another sample flip. Who flipped the Roy Ayers joint better? L.E.S. or Hangmen3?
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
clearly L.E.S did it better the hangman 3 joint sounds 2 basic
i give that sample flip to L.E.S. The beat just knocks harder and plus Nas is just awesome!
I will give the flip to L.E.S.,but for me,it was about a mood thing.I used to be a big Nas & Mobb Deep head when those cuts came out(still am).If I was in chill mode,I would wanna listen to the Nas joint,but if I was feeling a little grimy,the Mobb joint would hit the spot.
I’m a big L.E.S fan, although I preferred his stuff when he just looped whole samples without bothering about being creative too much and it all had a dustier feel. That’s why I’ll have to give this one to Hangmen 3 cos their beat got a real grimy feel that suits Prodigy well (even though that was by far not one of the best cuts on that briliant album), whereas the L.E.S. joint – as well-constructed as it may be – a bit embodies everything I hated about that Nas album, that is the too clean studio kind of quality. it sounds like a 99 radio joint, and that was one of the worst periods in rap ever. as i said, it’s good work in terms of technique, but doesn’t feel right. just my thoughts
I believe this sample was also used in one of the wutang affiliates’ songs, not subtly at all. La The Darkman – Shine